Sunday, 18 November 2012

New Zealand SPEAKS NOW

After the spineless performance by Federal MPs in Australia, who voted down changes to the Marriage Act to allow same-sex couples to marry (despite the surge of public opinion in favour), New Zealand is preparing to show the Aussies the way.

Here are some links to the same sex-marriage debate in New Zealand.

The first link is to a member’s bill on the New Zealand Parliament website. From the right hand menu on this page you can read the debate notes for the first reading and the evidence presented to the select committee.

The Marriage (definition  of Marriage) Amendment Bill is in the name of Labour MP Louisa Wall.

The MP submitted the bill to a ballot of member bills and it was drawn on 26/7/2012. The first reading was held on 29/8/2012 and was passed 80-30 (conscience vote) to be referred to Government Administration Committee – a cross-party select committee of MPs which will examine the bill, listen to submissions (submissions were due 26/10/2012), and report back to the House by 28/3/2013. The committee may recommend amendments which are voted on during the second reading. If it passes the second reading the bill then goes to the committee of the whole House (all MPs) when MPs can put forward further amendments in the form of Supplementary Order Papers. The 3rd and final reading is then held and, if passed, the bill is then given royal assent.

Incidentally, Prime Minister John Key has said he will support the vote through all stages.

http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Legislation/Bills/2/c/4/00DBHOH_BILL11528_1-Marriage-Definition-of-Marriage-Amendment-Bill.htm

Evidence to select committee:
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/SC/Documents/Evidence/1/5/f/50SCGA_EVI_00DBHOH_BILL11528_1_A306632-Louisa-Wall.htm

Louisa Wall email and Wiki link: Louisa.wall@parliament.govt.nz

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisa_Wall

Wiki on  same-sex marriage in NZ:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage_in_New_Zealand

Other links:

http://www.3news.co.nz/Gay-marriage-debate-good/tabid/1607/articleID/277179/Default.aspx

http://www.economist.com/news/international/21566626-trend-toward-giving-homosexuals-full-marriage-rights-gaining-momentum-have-and
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2 comments:

  1. Speak Now18 November 2012 at 22:08

    Many thanks to our correspondent Jon Anderson, in Wellington for supplying the links.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Speak Now22 November 2012 at 15:15

    According to Wikipedia
    Back in 2004, a New Zealand Herald poll found that 40% of those surveyed supported same-sex marriages and 54% were against. By 2011, a Research New Zealand poll found that 60% were in favour, and 34% against, with support at 79% among 18 - 34 year olds.
    In May 2012, a One News Colmar Brunton poll of 1005 registered voters found that 63 percent of those surveyed supported same-sex marriage, while 31 percent were opposed.
    Support was higher amongst females (68% vs 57% for males), those aged between 18 and 34 (78% vs 66% for those aged 35 to 54 and 46% for those aged 55 and over), and those who did not identify with a religious or spiritual group (75% support vs 47% for those that did).
    Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage_in_New_Zealand

    ReplyDelete

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